Free Student Help from Friendly House
Many children are struggling both academically and socially after more than two years of disruption because of the pandemic. Online learning and social isolation have taken their toll on many families. During the pandemic, a local organization called Friendly House started their free Complete Student Support (CSS) Program to support students moving to online learning.
The program has now shifted to help kids with their unique needs. Some might need tutoring or help getting their homework done. Some might be looking for a mentor to help nurture their passion for music or drawing. And some might just need a friend to talk to about their day or play some games.
“The meetings help her pronounce tough words she never knew before and become an independent reader, but not only that, she loves to read for fun, which is most important to me,” one parent said of their child’s experience.
Watch the video below to hear from a student about how the program has helped him and his family.
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Friendly House Complete Student Support
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The program serves students from kindergarten through eighth grade. Friendly House works with kids and their families to figure out the right support for them. Mentor and student pairs are assigned with great care based on their personalities, the needs of the kid, and the skills of the mentor. Staff also get to know students’ families and can connect them to transportation, food, mental health, and housing and utility assistance to build more support for students at home.
Friendly House’s CSS program is free for everyone and is completely funded by grants from organizations like Metro and the Herbert A. Templeton Foundation. Learn more about CSS and check out other Friendly House services online!
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Portland to Vote on Government Changes
This month, the Portland Charter Commission voted to refer a measure to change local government to the November 2022 ballot. The measure is intended to create a more efficient and responsive city government with a more representative democracy.
The measure will change Portland's government by establishing a mayor-council government structure, in which 12 elected City Council members will focus on setting policy and approving budgets, while the mayor carries out laws and a professional city administrator manages city services. The measure also creates geographic districts with multiple council members representing each district and allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference for all elected offices.
For the past 18 months, Charter Commissioners received input from community members from a diverse range of backgrounds and neighborhoods. Based on that input, they developed a measure to deliver the change Portlanders are asking for.
Because 17 of the 20 commissioners voted in favor of the measure, it will go directly to the November 2022 ballot for Portlanders to vote on.
The Commission’s work is not over as they will now be moving into Phase II! Learn more about and get involved with Phase II work.
Español (Spanish) | Русский (Russian) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) |
华语（中文）(Simplified Chinese) | 華語（中文）(Traditional Chinese) |
Af-Soomaali (Somali)
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Staying Safe and Cool During Hot Weather
The weather is heating up and there are some important steps you can take to help keep yourself and others safe and cool.
- Drink a lot of water.
- Bring your pets in the house and never leave your pets in the car.
- If you don’t have air conditioning, open your window during the coolest hours of the night and use a fan to pull cool air inside. Then, close the windows and the shades before it starts to get hot.
- Stay on the lower floors of your home to avoid the hot air rising to those upper floors.
- Avoid strenuous activity outside and try to stay inside or in the shade as much as possible.
- Wear light clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and other protective clothing when outside.
- Avoid using hot appliances like your stove, oven, and toaster.
- Check in with your friends, family, and neighbors, especially those who may need more assistance.
- Learn and look out for the symptoms of heat-related illness.
- Call 2-1-1 for help finding cooling shelters in Multnomah County.
More information from the Oregon Health Authority is available in Español (Spanish), اللغة العربية (Arabic), 简体中文 (Simplified Chinese), 繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese), foosun Chuuk (Chuukese), 한국어 (Korean), Kajin Majol (Marshallese), Русский (Russian), Af Soomaali (Somali), Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese).
Be careful if you plan to cool off in fresh water! Melting snow in the mountains is making our rivers run cold and fast. Almost every year, people die from cold water shock during the first heat wave. Cold river water (even at 40°F and 50°F) can easily cause cold water shock that can kill in minutes.
Learn more at portland.gov/united/stay-safe-during-heat and Multnomah County’s Help for When it’s Hot web page. Follow City of Portland and Multnomah County on social media for more updates.
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Rental Market Listening Session
The Rental Services Commission is the main public forum for discussion of rental housing law and regulation, and renter-owner programs and services in the City of Portland. Commission members are community representatives with expertise in:
- Fair housing
- Rent-regulated and market-rate rental housing
- Landlord/tenant law
- Property management
- Renter-owner advocacy
- Rental housing access
- And rental housing health and safety.
The commission wants to hear from you! Share your thoughts, concerns, and experiences with Portland's rental market with the Rental Services Commission. Join via Zoom on Wednesday, July 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. Learn more and register at: portland.gov/phb/rsc-listening-session
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Join an Advisory Body!
Joining an advisory body is a way for Portlanders to lend their expertise and personal or professional experience to the City of Portland. As an advisory body member, you will work closely with community members and City of Portland liaisons to impact policies and programs.
Fair Housing Advocacy Committee (FHAC) - Closes Sunday, July 10
The purpose of FHAC is to be a strong advocate for the implementation of the recommendations in the Fair Housing Plan (FHP) in Multnomah County. Further, the FHAC holds Multnomah County accountable for their actions under the FHP and is currently developing an updated FHP. Learn more about member responsibilities and apply here!
Rental Services Commission (RSC) - Closes Sunday, July 10
The mission of the RSC is to advise the Director of the Portland Housing Bureau, the Housing Commissioner, and the Portland City Council on issues related to landlord-tenant housing regulation and programs, and to provide a forum for public input on the rental housing market. Learn more about member responsibilities and apply here!
Urban Forestry Commission - Closes Monday, August 1
The Urban Forestry Commission advises the City Forester, Parks Director, Commissioner in Charge of Parks, and City Council on matters related to trees in the city, including regulation, budget, policy, and plans. It is also the appeals board for certain tree permits, nominates new and approves removal of Heritage Trees, and plays a significant role in updates to the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan. Learn more about member responsibilities and apply here!
Northwest Parking Stakeholder Advisory Committee - Closes Monday, August 1
The NW Parking Stakeholder Advisory Committee advises PBOT staff on transportation and parking issues and supports transportation options for neighborhood livability and economic vitality to efficiently manage parking and reduce reliance on single-occupancy automobile. Learn more about member responsibilities and apply here!
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